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Traveling to USA next day of OATH!

CanadianME

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May 31, 2015
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my Oath is 5th July and I'm traveling out of country USA July 6th! what are my options now? Won't I be able to come back to Canada? or I can apply for a passport from the USA. What are your thoughts fellows? I do have NEXUS card. Any thought or experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks
 

alphazip

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May 23, 2013
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You don't say whether you are travelling by plane or car. If by car, you can enter the U.S. on your NEXUS card, return to Canada with your NEXUS card or Certificate of Citizenship.
 

McClane

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Aug 4, 2015
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Check the NEXUS status. When I got mine the officers from both countries told me that if my situation changes, and they explicitly mentioned Canadian citizenship as an example, I wouldn't be able to use the NEXUS card right away and it'd need to be updated. I didn't ask how the update would work, though.
 

alphazip

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May 23, 2013
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Hi




1. You realize that the Citizenship certificate is not a travel document?
Doesn't matter. You will be admitted to Canada by land with a Certificate of Citizenship (and a piece of ID, such as a driver's licence).

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html

"If you do not have a passport, and are returning to Canada, the following documents can denote identity and/or citizenship:

  • NEXUS card, held by a Canadian citizen, when entering Canada by air (when coming from the U.S.), land, or marine modes
  • FAST card (Free and Secure Trade), issued to a Canadian citizen (when arriving by land or marine modes only)
  • Canadian Emergency Travel Document
  • Canadian Temporary Passport
  • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (issued from 1954 to present)
  • Enhanced Driver's License issued by a Canadian province or territory
  • Enhanced Identification/Photo Card issued by a Canadian province or territory"
 
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canvis2006

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yeah but it all depends on how/which passport OP would be using to go to USA.

Otherwise delay the trip, obtain passport(urgent) and then travel. I would not feel comfortable without Canadian passport in any foreign country, but that's me.

Remember to fly back Canadians must have a valid Canadian passport. Coming by land is easier and more flexible, but not sure how American immigration would see his Canadian status (bcaz the certificate is not a travel document). Their discretion perhaps ?
 

alphazip

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May 23, 2013
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yeah but it all depends on how/which passport OP would be using to go to USA.

Otherwise delay the trip, obtain passport(urgent) and then travel. I would not feel comfortable without Canadian passport in any foreign country, but that's me.

Remember to fly back Canadians must have a valid Canadian passport. Coming by land is easier and more flexible, but not sure how American immigration would see his Canadian status (bcaz the certificate is not a travel document). Their discretion perhaps ?
I said that a person can enter Canada by land with a Canadian Citizenship certificate, not that a person can enter the U.S. with a Canadian Citizenship certificate. IF the person can enter the U.S. however (NEXUS card, passport from country of birth, etc.), then he can re-enter Canada by land without a Canadian passport.
 

CanadianME

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May 31, 2015
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Thanks all for your response, really appreciate it.

I'm traveling by airplane and I do have NEXUS card. I did as PR resident in Canada, not a citizen!!
 

Godzilla9

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Sep 22, 2012
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Doesn't matter. You will be admitted to Canada by land with a Certificate of Citizenship (and a piece of ID, such as a driver's licence).

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html

"If you do not have a passport, and are returning to Canada, the following documents can denote identity and/or citizenship:

  • NEXUS card, held by a Canadian citizen, when entering Canada by air (when coming from the U.S.), land, or marine modes
  • FAST card (Free and Secure Trade), issued to a Canadian citizen (when arriving by land or marine modes only)
  • Canadian Emergency Travel Document
  • Canadian Temporary Passport
  • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (issued from 1954 to present)
  • Enhanced Driver's License issued by a Canadian province or territory
  • Enhanced Identification/Photo Card issued by a Canadian province or territory"
Do you know anyone who returned to Canada with certificate of citizenship? I started a new thread where I am asking this. In my case I have three business day from the passport application date to my travel on vehicle. Whether I should apply for passport for smooth border passing or certificate will provide smooth transit too?
 

canvis2006

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I'd advise to apply for the passport anyway (apply for urgent).
Take a chance and apply right away after oath, tell the passport agent that u need urgent since you're traveling to USA, they will help u.
 

alphazip

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May 23, 2013
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Do you know anyone who returned to Canada with certificate of citizenship? I started a new thread where I am asking this. In my case I have three business day from the passport application date to my travel on vehicle. Whether I should apply for passport for smooth border passing or certificate will provide smooth transit too?
I crossed into Canada at a land border many times before I had a Canadian passport. Each time, I informed the CBSA officer that I had Canadian citizenship and presented my Citizenship card. None ever informed me that I needed a Canadian passport to enter Canada. Of course, my situation differs from many in this forum in that I am also a U.S. citizen, so I likely would have been admitted whether I was a Canadian citizen or not.
 

Godzilla9

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Sep 22, 2012
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I crossed into Canada at a land border many times before I had a Canadian passport. Each time, I informed the CBSA officer that I had Canadian citizenship and presented my Citizenship card. None ever informed me that I needed a Canadian passport to enter Canada. Of course, my situation differs from many in this forum in that I am also a U.S. citizen, so I likely would have been admitted whether I was a Canadian citizen or not.
Thanks. Did any of those trips happen after the Canadian passport became mandatory for Canadians returning to Canada?
 

alphazip

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May 23, 2013
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Thanks. Did any of those trips happen after the Canadian passport became mandatory for Canadians returning to Canada?
No, because a Canadian passport isn't required to enter Canada by land, and that is the only way I have ever entered Canada.

"Canada’s new passport requirements come into effect in late September, forcing Canadians with dual citizenship to carry a valid Canadian passport to enter the country when travelling by air."

http://globalnews.ca/news/2916171/canadas-new-passport-requirements-come-into-effect-this-month/

Notice that the last sentence of the article states that U.S.-Canadian duals can still enter Canada by air on a U.S. passport.
 
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Godzilla9

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Sep 22, 2012
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No, because a Canadian passport isn't required to enter Canada by land, and that is the only way I have ever entered Canada.

"Canada’s new passport requirements come into effect in late September, forcing Canadians with dual citizenship to carry a valid Canadian passport to enter the country when travelling by air."

http://globalnews.ca/news/2916171/canadas-new-passport-requirements-come-into-effect-this-month/
My question was about the experience rather than the legal side of the issue. I know that they will let me in with the certificate (and without Canadian passport). Was wondering if after passport requirement became a law, land travelers without passport get scrutiny checks delaying the border crossing. Thank you all for the responses.